Fall Into A New Year

As we move from a fun, engaging summer to a new year of opportunity, I am moved by the power of children; their pure faith and unconditional love.  New families have joined us, ready to learn and take a leap of faith - their children beginning their journey of trust and growth. Returning families continue their trust and support as their children develop and amaze. Thanks to all our families/partners for your interest and faith in us. Thank you for sharing your amazing children with us!

We are so fortunate to begin our new, busy school year with a wonderful team of teachers and fabulous families! We look forward to a rewarding partnership this year and can't wait to see how the school year unfolds. 

Kathy

Kathy RaymondComment
The Dog Days of Summer

Oh summer! A favorite time of year here at the school. We may be year round but we know how to have fun! There's water everywhere, not to mention bubbles, shaving cream in the wading pool, music, the annual mud run and outdoor play aplenty.

We are excited to announce The Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research have certified us for a third year as a Nature Explore-nature based play space! Our excitement to become the first school on the South shore with a nature based space has only spurred us to share our good fortune whenever we can. Whether it is educating our families, opening up our space for annual open house events or presenting at our annual Montessori conference; we love to share the benefits of nature based play.  From increasing creativity, problem solving skills and physical activity, to decreasing stress-outdoor play is essential to development.

The children love being outside digging in the dirt, building with BIG blocks, swinging, triking, painting, splashing and having fun! These are just some of the ever changing components within our outdoor space. So with the last month of summer upon us, the children's enthusiasm definitely will not wane and the fun will keep on coming!   

Kathy :)                 

 

Kathy RaymondComment
12 Tips For a Healthier Brain

You know I love to share Maren Schmidt's articles from time to time and this month is no different. She is actually sharing John Medina's, 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home and play in his 2013 book, Brain Rules. Mr. Medina is affiliate professor of bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Each chapter of Brain Rules focuses on one of the principles outlined here. This checklist is full of great information - enjoy!

Twelve Tips For a Healthier Brain    

Rule #1: Exercise boosts brainpower. Movement helps our brains grow and increases oxygen levels throughout our bodies. Oxygen is critical to effective brain function. Feeling fuzzy-headed and having trouble thinking? Get moving. 
Rule #2: Our brain has evolved. We actually have three brains. The reptilian brain focuses on survival. Our mammalian brain regulates our emotions. Our third brain, the cortex, makes us human by allowing us to reason, analyze and create. If we don't feel safe, our reptilian brain focuses on survival and keeps us from tapping into the problem-solving resources of the cortex. 
Rule #3: Every brain is different. We are not going to find a common place in the brain where certain memories or functions are found. Our brain grows based on our response to our environment, and that is as unique as every person on this planet. 
Rule #4: We don't pay attention to things that aren't interesting to us. If something is boring or holds no meaning for us, we tune out. Also, the brain can only focus on one thing at a time. Multi-tasking is a myth. We waste a lot of time and brain effort switching back and forth between multiple activities. We are better off if we focus consistently on one thing at a time. So, yep, turn off the television when you study. And instant messaging and... 
Rule #5: We have to repeat information to learn it.  Also, the richer the sensory experience, the more likely we are to remember it. A rich sensory experience is like we repeated information several times. We need to make an effort to repeat and use all our senses to help us remember.  
Rule #6: Reliable long-term memories take many intervals of repetition, perhaps years. We can't cram for the exam. We need to repeat the feat. 
Rule #7: Sleep is important to optimum brain function. Loss of sleep affects attention, our ability to make good decisions, short-term memory, mood, the ability to deal with numbers and logic and well as quantitative skills and motor dexterity. Protect your brain. Sleep 8 -10 hours a day. 
Rule #8: Stressed brains don't learn the same way. With a stressed brain, the reptilian brain takes over, and survival trumps our ability to learn and remember. 
Rule #9: The more senses we use, the more we remember. The smell of hot cocoa can trigger memories of a Christmastime sleigh ride and the words to a tune you haven't heard in years. 
Rule #10: Vision is our dominant sense, and it is not 100% accurate. We learn best through pictures, not through written or spoken words. This brain rule suggests that the old adage is true: A picture is worth a thousands words. 
Rule #11: Male and female brains are different. Men don't think like women, and women don't think like men. Understanding the differences in how men and women process information can help us. 
Rule #12: Humans are natural explorers. We are born to explore our world and be inquisitive. Our natural tendency to explore, if we use it, keeps our brain flexible and growing for all of our lives. 
Use these 12 tips to have a healthy brain that will survive and thrive at any age.   
Visit John Medina's site at www.brainrules.net.  

Maren Schmidt, an AMI trained elementary teacher, is author of Understanding Montessori: A Guide for Parents, and writes the weekly syndicated column, Kids Talk.   Visit http://MarenSchmidt.com.  

Kathy RaymondComment
March Madness

So basketball may not be our forte, but our March madness manifests in other ways. Whether we are juggling enrollment for the upcoming school year or observing a little "spring fever" among the students in the classrooms-we are still "mad" for Montessori! 

Each year at this time we hope all students and families could stay forever but we understand some age out of the program and must move on. Of course we would love to keep all our kindergarten students too, but realize we will lose some to public school. This is always a bittersweet time for us as we understand the immense opportunity the third year-five year old to six year old experience is for students. We can't help but feel sad when families disagree for whatever reason. 

During Kindergarten, children have the opportunity to assume a leadership role as well as refine critical learning skills for future academic work, self-regulation and social-emotional development. The environment fosters children to be eager, self-motivated learners throughout their educational experience. This is an amazing year of growth and sets children up for an easier transition into first grade.  

As the enrollment process subsides, it gives way to that little thing you might be feeling-"spring fever". The sun is warmer and peeking through the clouds more often. The temperature is rising and the beginnings of new growth can be seen all around. Our children must feel a change since the energy in the classrooms is heightened. We love to see this spirit in the children and make sure we have more engaging works, movement and fun built into each day.  

Our madness continues as the end of the school year fast approaches. Before you know it we will be "sprucing up" the school with faculty and family volunteers, showcasing children's work in our annual art show, holding our bridging ceremony for departing Pre-Primary students and finally, celebrating the 2015/2016 school year with the end of year Ice Cream Social! It is busy but worthwhile and I say this year as in every year; "bring it on!"

 

Kathy RaymondComment
Learn How to Learn

I love being able to share when I find an informative article. Maren Schmidt's Kids Talk series is brilliant and always offers up wonderful suggestions and information. I hope you enjoy Maren's article- Kathy

Learning to Love to Learn

Trying to keep our children frustration free by controlling the consequences of movement–for example using spill proof drinking cups instead of ones that can spill– prevents our children from getting necessary and accurate feedback for optimal learning.

When we can prepare a child’s indoor and outdoor spaces with a variety of activities that match skill and will–meaning we offer appropriate challenges–we also create a place where a child is eager to try new pursuits, as well as repeat familiar activities in order to absorb the skill. For example, we don’t hand a 3-year-old a copy of Tom Sawyer and expect him to read it. Yes, we want the child at some point, perhaps by age 10, to have the skills to read at that level. Spoken language is a key to being a successful reader. We keep language in the air by reading aloud everyday. We involve our children in conversation, as well as limiting or eliminating television and video game time.

With the goal of literacy, we teach our three-year-old the sounds of the alphabet, and later introduce the shapes of the letters with their corresponding sounds, one by one. Next, we show how to spell a word by sounding it out and writing the word with loose letters organized in a box. In isolation from a book, we introduce short words on cards, such as “cat”. Next we introduce cards with two words at time, “big cat”, followed over the course of weeks by three word exercises, such, as “big yellow cat”, then on to sentences, “The big yellow cat ran.” These exercises are placed in baskets and left on a shelf in order that the child can choose to repeat when he so desires.

Slowly, the eye and the mind are trained to start at the left hand side and move to the right in order to decode the symbols. Instead of asking the child to read out loud, we ask him to act out a collection of sentences written on paper strips and placed in a basket, an activity he can do anytime independently without adult interaction. When we see that he is acting out the sentences accurately, the child is introduced to longer sentences or two sentences on a page, “The big yellow cat ran after the brown-spotted dog.”  As the child becomes more familiar with the words, he begins to memorize that certain combinations make certain words, and doesn’t need to decode each sound for each word. Reading becomes faster and more fluid. As each stage of learning to read is met with a favorable outcome the child experiences a success cycle, where learning creates a desire for more learning.

All these steps describe an indirect preparation for learning to read a book like Tom Sawyer. If we want to help a child love to learn, we prepare him indirectly for the next step of accomplishment in such a way as to assure success. We then allow the child to take the step independently.

By making the tasks neither too easy nor too hard—by creating a Goldilock’s spot of “just the right” task—we provide the nourishment for a lifetime of loving to learn. Begin with the end in mind. Start giving lessons where the child is at the edge of his skill level by giving an adequate challenge, and prepare for the next step as the young child repeats various activities to gain competency.

Using indirect preparation is a key teaching skill to  Help children love to learn. It makes learning, as Goldilocks would say, “Just right!”

Maren Schmidt, an AMI trained elementary teacher, is author of Understanding Montessori: A Guide for Parents,
and writes the weekly syndicated column, Kids Talk. Visit http://MarenSchmidt.com.










 

 

Kathy RaymondComment
So Long - Farewell -

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end.                 - Ursula K. Le Guin

As 2015 comes to a close, this quote gets me to thinking about journeys. We all are on one. Some more positive and rewarding than others yet just as relevant. I think of all the children in our school and their families. All on a journey of discovery and release.

Our children move toward self-discovery and independence while their families work on allowing that precious development to unfold. It is with faith and a little trepidation that our new families put their trust in us. We are blessed to have the opportunity to forge that bond. It is with trust and a spirit of partnership  that current families continue to support us and this responsibility is not lost on us. 

We have had an amazing year of growth and opportunity. It has been a pleasure to welcome current families back and new families into our little family here at Montessori Beginnings!  All of us here at school; Jen, Jennifer, Rachael, Cara, Kathleen, Pam and myself wish you all the blessings and prosperity for 2016. Happy New Year! Cheers-

Kathy RaymondComment

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air."
-   Eric Sloane

Thank you Mr. Sloane for a fitting description of this time of year. The leaves are falling fast from our oak trees and the children can't wait to create and demolish leaf piles! While they wait they deconstruct  hay bales and roll around  pumpkins from our annual Fall Festival. From the sound of laughing children to the smell of fresh baked apple crisp; this event is always a favorite for our  families and faculty and we all truly enjoyed ourselves.

As I looked around at the mix of current and former students with their families, I couldn't help but think how amazing children are. What the world expects and what they deliver never ceases to amaze me. From our youngest children who are acclimating to a new school and routine, to our alumni children who have been navigating their path as elementary students; these children show time and time again how strong they are. 

So as leaves continue to fall and seasons change, I will look to the children to change as well.  Come spring, we will all be older, wiser and ready for all this season of hope has to offer. Until then we prepare to welcome "Old Man Winter"!

Kathy RaymondComment
Welcome! Welcome!

Summer is winding down and year eleven is just winding up. What a wonderful, warm, summer it was! The teachers and children loved learning, laughing, playing in water, sand and mud, swinging, riding bikes - just having fun.  Rounding out the summer was our tenth anniversary Ice Cream Social celebration. We were so fortunate to visit with former families from the first years of the school up to the present. It was an exciting day and the culmination of ten years serving our fabulous families and community.

So here we are, beginning year eleven. There is still as much commitment and passion from our team of professionals for what we do. There are still small, smiling faces greeting us at the door and families ready to help in any way they can. We still marvel at the curious, carefree children ready to learn, play and grow.

This year proves to be another winner; from our “Whirled Peace” Day observance in September, the annual St. Jude’s Trike a Thon in April to our Pre Primary Moving Up Ceremony in June…We are a blessed bunch here at Montessori Beginnings and can’t wait to share each new day!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

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